History of WWI Primer 146: German Pistole 04 Naval Luger Documentary

Chapters

1. 00:21Introduction to the Pistol 04 (Naval Luger)
2. 00:34Weight and Magazine Specifications
3. 00:43Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
4. 00:49Overall Length and Stock Attachment
5. 00:57Two-Position Rear Sight
6. 01:17Framework for German Luger Adoption
7. 01:32Borchardt C93 and Georg Luger's Role
8. 02:07Swiss Model 1900 (Old Model Luger)
9. 02:36German Army's Obsolete Handguns
10. 03:18Smokeless Powder and Arms Race
11. 03:35Challenges in Historical Records
12. 04:13Military Revolver Market Analysis
13. 04:35Revolvers and Smokeless Powder Issues
14. 04:41Small Bore, High Velocity Trend
15. 05:07German Officials' Considerations
16. 05:26Cylinder Gap and Energy Loss
17. 05:45Smokeless Powder Advantages
18. 06:12Pyromaxim and Machine Guns
19. 06:27German GPK Review of Repeating Pistols
20. 06:46Schlegelmilch and Lebel Influence
21. 07:04Commission Stalls on Revolver Issue
22. 07:26Technological Wall and Waiting for Innovation
23. 07:30Production of Reichs Revolvers
24. 07:45Government Rifle Factories' Revolver Designs
25. 08:38Mauser C96 and Feederle Brothers
26. 09:00German Army Testing Autoloading Pistols
27. 09:12Gewehr 98 Production Impact
28. 09:18Emphasis on Machine Guns
29. 09:26Pistol Selection Slows Down
30. 09:29Mauser C96 as Front Runner
31. 09:39Georg Luger's Improved Borchardt
32. 09:48Formalization of Trials with Luger Pistols
33. 10:04Modified Swiss Trials Model
34. 10:13Trials Pistols Sent to Great Britain
35. 10:25Borchardt Luger in New Field Trials
36. 10:37Discontinuation of Field Trials
37. 10:43Adoption of Self-Loading Pistol Settled
38. 10:59Mauser Pistol Altered
39. 11:13Monlicker Abandoned, C96 Tested for Mounted Troops
40. 11:20Borchardt Luger Receives Favorable Report
41. 11:27Complexity Comparison: Luger vs. Mauser
42. 11:31Luger Simplifies Design
43. 11:45Comparative Field Test: Mauser vs. Borchardt Luger
44. 11:51Monlicker Reappears for Officer Purchases
45. 12:07DWM Provides Two Types of Luger Pistols for Trials
46. 12:27Precursor to Army's P08 Pattern
47. 12:32Field Trials Begin (July 1902)
48. 12:36Trial Participants: Infantry, Cavalry, MG Detachment
49. 12:54Luger Seen as Superior Design
50. 13:01Complaints: Tendency to Jam
51. 13:09Concerns: Parts Breaking, Weight Improvement
52. 13:15Difficulty Knowing if Guns Were Loaded
53. 13:20Request for Cocking Indicator
54. 13:25Manual Hold Open Option Inquiry
55. 13:27Safety and Fire Positions Too Close
56. 13:39Luger Attempts to Sell Pistols Internationally
57. 13:50Conservative Militaries and Small Bore Cartridges
58. 14:11Markets Contemptuous of Small Bore Handguns: British and Americans
59. 14:19British Webley Mark IV (.455)
60. 14:24Colt New Army (.38 Caliber)
61. 14:37US Ordinance Department and .45 Caliber
62. 14:52Colonial Campaigns and Stopping Power
63. 15:18Need for a Handgun with Stopping Blow
64. 15:26Vickers Limited Demonstration (April 1900)
65. 15:33Mechanism Impressed, Bullet Did Not
66. 15:39Inquiry about .45 Caliber Production
67. 15:42Testing of Six Examples Confirmed Inadequacy
68. 15:477.65mm Parabellum Cartridge Concerns
69. 15:51US Naval Interest and Clay Block Tests
70. 16:07Army Board of Ordnance (Springfield Armory)
71. 16:14Hans Toscher Demonstrator
72. 16:21Hans Toscher's WWI Accusation
73. 16:30Franz Von Rintelen Connection
74. 16:41US Ordinance Demonstration (March 1901)
75. 16:47Investigation of Two Pistols
76. 16:511,000 for US Cavalry Trials (October 1901)
77. 16:547.65mm Millimeter Trials Results
78. 17:01Pistols Light, Balanced, Easy to Use
79. 17:03Doubts Over Effectiveness of Small Bullet
80. 17:09Luger Needs Bigger Bullet
81. 17:11Developing the 9mm Parabellum Cartridge
82. 17:29Early Finalized Martial Form: Truncated Cone
83. 17:43Vickers Limited Letter to British Small Arms Committee
84. 17:50First Mention of 9mm Parabellum
85. 17:54British Ignore 9mm, Prefer .40 Caliber
86. 18:05US Receptive to 9mm
87. 18:09Georg Luger Presents 9mm Version (May 1903)
88. 18:13First Military Trial of New Cartridge
89. 18:17DWM Offers 50 New 9mm Pistols for US Trials
90. 18:25US Ordnance Agrees, Requires Cartridge Indicator
91. 18:29Powell Cartridge Indicator: Clear Path in Grip
92. 18:34Arrival of 9mm Pistols (April 1904)
93. 18:39Shortened Frame: Old vs. New Model Luger
94. 19:00Comparison: Old Model Swiss vs. New Model Portuguese Naval Luger
95. 19:15Visual Difference: Frame Height
96. 19:38Eyeballing Frame Differences: Takedown Lever Area
97. 19:43Old Model Frame: Slow Curve, Wide, Stout
98. 20:06New Model Frame: Nice and Tight, Mirrors Lever Shape
99. 20:21US Trials with 9mm Cartridge
100. 20:27Ammunition Problems: Misfires and Jams
101. 20:32Cavalry and Field Artillery Report Negatively
102. 20:36Thompson-Lagarde Test (1904)
103. 20:42Colonel John T. Thompson and Major Lewis Lagarde
104. 20:49Variety of Cartridges Tested
105. 20:54Effects of Bullet Diameter, Weight, Velocity, Shape
106. 20:59Horse Shot with Exploding Bullet
107. 21:06Testing at Chicago Union Stockyards
108. 21:09Shooting Cattle to Measure Expiration Time
109. 21:19Large Bore Revolver Cartridges vs. Small Bore
110. 21:32US Sticking with .45 Caliber
111. 21:42Cupped Bullets (Hollow Points) Banned by Hague Convention
112. 21:49DWM and Luger Attempt .45 Caliber Pistol
113. 21:59Interest from German Gewehr Proofings Commission
114. 22:04Concerns with Lethality of 7.65mm Parabellum
115. 22:14Trials Notes: Improved Mortality with Larger Bullet
116. 22:25Luger Addresses Previous Concerns
117. 22:29New Loaded Chamber Indicator
118. 22:35Improved Extractor
119. 22:46Simplified Rebound Check Lever
120. 22:52Gripping Surface for Toggles Changed
121. 23:02Germany Testing 7.65mm and 9mm Pistols Separately
122. 23:11Luger Solves Toggle Failure to Return to Battery
123. 23:27Solution: Replace Paired Flat Mainsprings with Single Coil Spring
124. 23:41Distinguishing Old Model vs. New Model Lugers
125. 23:53New Model Changes: Coil Spring, Extractor Indicator, Flattened Grips
126. 24:13New Model Frame: Curvature in Front of Takedown Lever
127. 24:23New Models in 9mm or 7.65mm Parabellum
128. 24:27Production Old Models Generally 7.65mm
129. 24:37Grip Safety Remained an Option on New Models
130. 24:43Transitional Lugers
131. 25:00Germany Still Working with 7.65mm Pistols for Trials
132. 25:04GPK Investigating 9mm Cartridge
133. 25:24German Testing Notes: 9mm Luger Further Testing
134. 25:328mm Pistol Submitted, Request for 9mm
135. 25:41Trials Unwound Slowly
136. 25:48Mauser Introduces 9mm Export Cartridge and Pistol
137. 25:57Competition and Budget Items Stalled German Army Adoption
138. 26:03Army Adoption Delayed Until 1908
139. 26:11Focus Shifts to a Slightly Different Gun: Pistol 04
140. 26:20What Happened in 1904?
141. 26:25German Army Structure: Regional Armies
142. 26:47German Navy: A More Unified Force
143. 26:58Navy's Need for Small Arms
144. 27:16German Navy's View on Marines: Sea Battalion
145. 27:30Ship Armament: Rifles and Pistols
146. 27:42German Navy's Current Handgun: Reichs Revolver
147. 27:55Navy Watching Army Trials with Interest
148. 28:03Navy's Flexibility and Funding
149. 28:16Navy Less Sensitive to Weight, Seeking Extra Features
150. 28:21Heavier Handgun as Potential Carbine
151. 28:37German Army's View: C96 as Handgun Only
152. 28:45Luger Offering Stock Attachment Option Since Swiss Trials
153. 28:57Manufacturer Suggestion, Not Military Request
154. 29:03First Known Instance of Wanting a Stocked Luger: Chile
155. 29:09Emil Corner, Chilean Army Commander
156. 29:15Corner's Role in Chilean Civil War
157. 29:28German-Style Martial Reforms in Chilean Army
158. 29:34Corner Requested Stocked Carbine Version of Luger
159. 29:41Trip to Germany (1900) for Arms Purchase
160. 29:48Luger Working on Possibility, Showed Corner
161. 29:52Chilean Military Journals Report on Luger Carbine Experiments
162. 30:00Small Trials Models Developed: Long Barreled, Push-Button Stock
163. 30:05Multi-position Rear Sight on Rear Toggle Arm
164. 30:12Three-Position Sight
165. 30:14Competition with Stock C96
166. 30:16Experimental Luger Carbines
167. 30:20Commercial Pattern Carbine
168. 30:26Martial Side of Stock Pistols
169. 30:32Push-Button to Lever Stock Attachment
170. 30:34Fixed Rear Sights Tried
171. 30:39DWM Offering German Navy Stocked Pistol (1902)
172. 30:44600 Meter, 175mm Barreled Stocked Pistol
173. 30:50Negotiated into Simplified Pattern (1904)
174. 30:53150mm Barrel, Lever Attach Stock, Two-Position Rear Sight
175. 31:02Navy Orders ~150 Pistols for Trial
176. 31:09Navy Adopts Semi-Carbine Version
177. 31:18Trial Purpose: Establish Carrying Methods
178. 31:23Holsters, Cartridge Pouches, Ship Racks
179. 31:36Develop Safety Doctrine
180. 31:40Luger Juggling Trials and Making Changes
181. 31:46Borrowing Guns from Trials, Modifying, Sending Back
182. 31:53Short on Parts, Development of New Model Small Frame
183. 32:03Old Model Frame: Larger and Heavier
184. 32:17Old Model Flat Mainspring
185. 32:21Simplified Rebound Check Lever
186. 32:26Grip Safety and Manual Safety
187. 32:32Concentric Circle Magazine Base
188. 32:35Carry Trials Begin (August 1904)
189. 32:42Make-Do Trial Pistols See Service
190. 32:45Majimaji Rebellion, Herrero Wars, Hottentot Uprising
191. 32:52Expeditionary Forces Issued 19 Navy Trials Pistols
192. 32:57Report: Unwieldy, Officers Preferred Pocket Pistols
193. 33:07Navy's Decision Makers Unphased
194. 33:11Note to Baltic Naval Station (May 1905)
195. 33:17Design of Self-Loading Pistol Tested in 1904 Considered Finalized
196. 33:24Luger Rushed Design, Minor Details Left Out
197. 33:33Selection of Larger Frame Married to Exterior Dimensions
198. 33:47Could Add New Coil Spring, Ditch Check Lever
199. 33:54No Sign of Official Supreme Ordering Council
200. 34:01Designated Self-Loading Pistol 1904
201. 34:07Simplified to Pistol 1904
202. 34:12Pistol 1904 Loaned by Gbf
203. 34:24General Features: Old Swiss vs. Pistol 04
204. 34:33Grip Panels, Grip Angle, Magazine Release
205. 34:43Incorrect Magazine Base (Wood Plug)
206. 34:59Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
207. 35:03Updated Checkering on Toggle Grips
208. 35:07Bolt Operation: Pull Outward on Checkered Pads
209. 35:11No Rebound Check Lever
210. 35:18Large Frame, Extra Material Around Takedown
211. 35:29Long Barrel, Front Reinforcement
212. 35:40Two-Position Rear Sight: 100m and 200m
213. 36:02Markings Underneath Automatic Grip Safety
214. 36:09WD Marking (West Danzig)
215. 36:10Common Marks: WK (Wilhelmshaven), WW (Wilhelmshaven West)
216. 36:28Unique Specific Marks: Torpedo Division
217. 36:35Grip Safety Relocated Locking Stud
218. 36:44Safe Position Marking
219. 36:52Original 1904 Safety Position: Up = Unsafe
220. 37:07German Army P08 Safety Position: Down = Safe
221. 37:12Navy Standardizes Safety Position (1912)
222. 37:21Safety Position Swap Procedure
223. 37:30Frame Originally Marked 'Safe' in Up Position
224. 37:48Bolt Rounder at Top, Protective Ears
225. 37:56Beefy Extractor
226. 38:08Extractor Risen: Loaded Chamber Indicator
227. 38:28Takedown Procedure Same as Last Model
228. 38:51Left Grip Panel: Coil Mainspring
229. 39:11No Longer Need Rebound Check Lever
230. 39:12Stock Attachment
231. 39:18Reproduction Stock, Original Holster
232. 39:39Method of Attachment: Lug at Back, Rotate Lever
233. 39:52Lever vs. Button Stock Attachment
234. 40:04Pistol Carbine Functionality
235. 40:13Animation: Old Model vs. New Model Differences
236. 40:179mm Parabellum Cartridge
237. 40:24Bolt Operation: Pull Outward on Checkered Pads
238. 40:32Coil Mainspring and Rebound Check Lever Deletion
239. 40:45Trigger and Sear Arrangement Unchanged
240. 40:55Safety Direction Reversed
241. 41:04Short Recoil Toggle Locking Assembly Unchanged
242. 41:11Bolt Shape: Rounder Up Top
243. 41:17Extractor as Loaded Chamber Indicator
244. 41:29Enjoying the Clockwork Wonder
245. 44:01Rough Appearance, Runs Fine
246. 44:03Navy Contract for 8,000 Pistols
247. 44:07Stocks and Accessories Included
248. 44:09Price: 43 Marks Each
249. 44:11Produced by DWM
250. 44:14Issued with Three Magazines
251. 44:16Carried on Leather Strap, Later Belt Loop
252. 44:20Delivery by Spring of 1906
253. 44:23Collector Confusion: 1904 vs. 1906 Designation
254. 44:27Trials Pistols Known as 1904
255. 44:37Budget Numbers and Trial Documents
256. 44:41Estimated 150 Trial Guns
257. 44:47Presumed High Number Led to Misconception
258. 44:52Actual 1904 Designation
259. 44:56Model 1906: Year of First Delivery
260. 45:01Pistol 1904: Only Real Designation
261. 45:09Second Contract: Another 8,000 Pistols
262. 45:17Army Adoption of P08 Causes Confusion
263. 45:20Army Safety: Turn On = Down, Fire = Up
264. 45:32Navy Follows Army, Switching Safety Positions (June 1912)
265. 45:44Curious Paragraph in Navy's 1906 Manual
266. 45:52Rearranging Grip Safety Lever
267. 46:03Automatic Safety Disengaged
268. 46:07Safe Only by Thumb Safety Lever
269. 46:10Distaste for Grip Safety
270. 46:16Pistols in Sailors' Hands
271. 46:21Standardized with Army
272. 46:2316,000 Pistols for the Fleet
273. 46:291904 Fairly Popular
274. 46:33Shortage by 1913
275. 46:38Withdrawing Pistols from Battleships
276. 46:50Freed Up ~1,300 Pistols
277. 46:56War Declared
278. 47:18Great War Consumes Equipment
279. 47:20Navy Orders to DWM Routed Through Prussian Ministry of War
280. 47:27Navy Requests 2,000 Additional Pistols
281. 47:32Navy Reaches Out to DWM for 8,500 More
282. 47:37Contract Honored Status Unclear
283. 47:41Roughly 8,000 Made It into Navy Inventory
284. 47:451914 Order Introduces New Version of Navy Pistol
285. 47:50Automatic Safety Controversial, Dropped from Production
286. 47:57Improvement to Rear Hinge Pin Diameter
287. 48:07Same as Standard 1904 with Larger Frame
288. 48:11Army Orders Modification to Sear Bar (February 1916)
289. 48:16Allows Action to Open While on Safe
290. 48:29Navy Accepts Same Modification (March)
291. 48:35Existing Pistols Supposed to Be Updated
292. 48:41Navy Orders Another 8,000 Pistols (August 1916)
293. 48:50Standard Small Frame Put to Work
294. 48:55Army Models Equipped with Stock Lugs
295. 49:01P08, LP08, and Naval 1904 on Same Pattern
296. 49:03Simplifying Production
297. 49:06Navy Kept Long Barrel and Two-Position Rear Sight
298. 49:10Guns Marked on Chamber Area (1916 or 1917)
299. 49:161917 Production: 15,000 Units
300. 49:271917 Pistols Don't Show in Naval Receipts
301. 49:34Disposition of 1917 Pistols is a Mystery
302. 49:39Likely Users: Sea Battalion
303. 49:49Sea Battalion Stationed in Belgium
304. 49:53Manned Coastal Installations, Paris Gun
305. 49:58Arisat Sea Battalion at Flanders
306. 50:02Took 1904 into Battlefield
307. 50:06Wider Issue Beyond Navy Command?
308. 50:11Guard Reserve Pioneer Regiment
309. 50:25Normal Service of 1904
310. 50:27Boarding Crew, Searching Vessels
311. 50:35Siege of Tsingtao
312. 50:44War's End: German Navy Transformed and Shrunk
313. 50:50Standardized on P08
314. 50:53Pulling from Larger Reserve of Fresh Parts
315. 50:581904 Dropped from Service
316. 51:05Inventor's Personal History (Covered in P08 Episode)
317. 51:11Next Gun in Series: P08
318. 51:20May's Opinion on the Naval 1904
319. 51:31May's Comparison: New Model vs. Old Model
320. 51:51Naval 1904: Old Model Frame, New Model Internals
321. 52:03Loaned by Gbf from Discord
322. 52:28Ergonomic Comparison
323. 52:33First Impressions: Longer Barrel, Two-Position Sight
324. 52:50Shooting to 200 Meters
325. 53:09200 Meters Ambitious, Not Mass Fire
326. 53:26Extra Knob on Back: Stock Attachment
327. 53:45Handy Stock Attachment
328. 53:53Pistol vs. Pistol Caliber Carbine
329. 54:01Operationally: Pull Straight Up on Toggle
330. 54:10No Rebound Check Lever
331. 54:13Different Caliber: 9mm Parabellum vs. 7.65mm
332. 54:16Soft Two-Flat Spring System (Old Model)
333. 54:20Tendency to Bounce, Stick Out of Battery
334. 54:24Check Lever to Stay Locked Down
335. 54:28Coil Spring (New Model) Stays Locked Down
336. 54:36Simple and Smooth Operation
337. 54:44Extractor Pops Up: Loaded Chamber Indicator
338. 55:02Safety Position Changed Later
339. 55:13Safety Down = Safe, Safety Off = Fast
340. 55:33Trigger Still Mushy
341. 55:36Grip Safety Long Travel
342. 55:39Cartridge Difference
343. 55:45Longer Barrel, More Sight Radius, More Velocity
344. 55:58Shooting the Naval Luger One-Handed
345. 56:09One-Handed Shooting with Stock
346. 56:16Longer Sight Radius, Taller Sights
347. 56:29Sights Better on the Naval Luger
348. 56:39Muzzle Weight Balance
349. 56:47More Neutral Feeling vs. Forward Weight
350. 56:56Preference for Neutral Balance vs. Forward Weight
351. 57:06Forward Weight Better for Moving
352. 57:13Preference for Forward Weight
353. 57:25Grip Panel Condition: Worn
354. 57:28Notorious for Lugers: Grip Panel Failure
355. 57:36Little Support Inside Wood Panels
356. 57:45Worst Thing in Terms of Wear
357. 57:49Running Like a Top
358. 57:52Accuracy Comparison: Naval Luger vs. 1900
359. 58:089mm Parabellum vs. 7.65mm Parabellum Recoil
360. 58:1930s Seem Softer Shooting
361. 58:55Shooting the Naval Luger
362. 59:05Stock Attachment: Fun Factor
363. 59:11Developed Taste for Pistol Caliber Carbines
364. 59:13Funny, Stupid, Useless but Cute
365. 59:31Love Stocked Pistols
366. 59:46C96 Stock vs. Luger Stock
367. 01:00:04Shooting with Stock: Way More Fun
368. 01:00:08Barrel Barely Goes Up, Recoil Mitigation Better
369. 01:00:13Fun Little Plinker
370. 01:00:22Awkward to Put Second Hand On
371. 01:00:30Prefer Luger Stock to C96 Stock
372. 01:00:53C96 Feels Better with Stock Attached
373. 01:01:02Luger Radically Better as Handgun
374. 01:01:07Package Choice: Luger over C96
375. 01:01:10C96 Better Grip and Magazine Well Hold
376. 01:01:19C96 Native Cartridge: 7.63mm Mauser
377. 01:01:24Luger Stock vs. C96 Holster Stock
378. 01:01:45C96 Wooden Holsters Easily Broken
379. 01:01:52C96 Hammer vs. Luger Striker Fired
380. 01:02:03Confidence Inspiring: Stock Availability
381. 01:02:15Equivalent to 1900, Better Sights on Naval Luger
382. 01:02:25Better Condition Would Improve Performance
383. 01:02:30200 Meter Testing Potential
384. 01:03:06Comfortable in War? Yes.
385. 01:03:17Extra Accessory: Stock Attachment
386. 01:03:26Gone Up from 1900, Slightly Better
387. 01:03:41More Reliable Recoil Spring, Better Sights
388. 01:03:46Longer Barrel, Good Sight Radius
389. 01:03:50Balance Not Preferred vs. 1900
390. 01:03:54Still Using Grip Safety
391. 01:03:56Better Cartridge
392. 01:03:58Safety Position Better
393. 01:04:019mm Parabellum vs. 7.65mm Luger Trust
394. 01:04:14Gary Lillard's Distrust of Straight Wall Cartridges
395. 01:04:27Extra Ring in Chamber for Obturation
396. 01:04:33Bottlenecked Cartridges Preferred
397. 01:04:417.65mm Parabellum Bottlenecked
398. 01:04:499mm Parabellum Invented to Keep Same Frame Tooling
399. 01:05:02OD of Case Became 9mm Bore
400. 01:05:06De Facto Handgun Cartridge for the World
401. 01:05:189mm Steyr, Largo, Other 9mm Cartridges
402. 01:05:31Luger's Ergonomic Package
403. 01:05:449mm vs. .45 ACP in Single Shot Pistol
404. 01:05:53Single Shot: Pick .45 ACP
405. 01:06:01Luger is Useless?
406. 01:06:14Magazine vs. Single Shot
407. 01:06:16Multiple Follow-Up Shots
408. 01:06:22Not One and Done
409. 01:06:30Performance Difference Between 9mm and .45 ACP
410. 01:06:37Recoil Affecting Shooting
411. 01:06:44US Facing Similar Caliber Questions
412. 01:06:48Parabellum is King
413. 01:06:55Compromise Cartridge
414. 01:07:09Development of .40 Smith & Wesson
415. 01:07:16Keeping Same Frames, Getting More Oomph
416. 01:07:22Parabellum as an Afterthought
417. 01:07:30Learning from Trial and Failure
418. 01:07:37Luger Considered a Winner
419. 01:07:47Favorite Luger: Stocked Models for Funsies
420. 01:08:09Artillery Luger vs. Naval Luger
421. 01:08:28Artillery Luger Slightly Longer Barrel

Frequently Asked Questions